Turkish Prime Minister To Visit White House

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 16 is scheduled to visit the White House, Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a written statement Friday.

Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Erdogan over the 2010 flotilla raid, during a call that President Obama sat in on.

"As friends and NATO allies, the United States and Turkey are partners in addressing a range of critical global and regional issues," Carney said in his statement. "The President looks forward to discussing these issues with the Prime Minister, to include Syria, trade and economic cooperation, and countering terrorism."

Carney added: "The Prime Minister’s visit underscores the close friendship between the United States and Turkey and the strategic importance we place on broadening and strengthening our relationship moving forward."